Content
Everyone knows that perennial dahlias grown from tubers. This method involves certain hassles associated with digging and storing rhizomes. In the spring these tubers it is necessary to sort through, disconnect, and bury again in the ground. Therefore, many gardeners prefer to grow annual dahlia varieties. Thus, you can plant flowers of different varieties and colors every year. Most people collect the seeds themselves and germinate them for planting in the spring. You can, of course, simply sow dahlia seeds directly into the flower garden, but then flowering will begin only at the end of summer. So let's look at how to properly prepare dahlias for seedlings, as well as how to grow and care for dahlias from seeds. Many people are interested in when to plant seedlings and how to do it correctly. You will see the answers to these questions below.
Preliminary work
First you need to know that growing annual dahlias is divided into the following stages:
- Collection of seed material.
- Sprouting dahlias.
- Caring for seedlings.
- Planting flowers in the ground.
But if this is your first time growing dahlias, it’s worth considering which varieties are best suited. Seeds are often purchased for seedlings in 2019 low growing dahlias. Such flowers can be grown even in apartment buildings.It has become very popular to plant dahlias on your balcony. If you have a flowerbed, then an excellent option would be medium-sized dahlias, which grow no higher than 60–65 centimeters. There are also varieties that reach up to one and a half meters in height. In general, the choice is huge, and everyone can choose dahlias to their liking.
Very often you can find mixtures of seeds on the shelves of flower shops. These packages contain seeds of the same dahlia variety, but in different colors. Such bright combinations will make your yard colorful and will lift your spirits every time. And given that dahlias bloom for a very long time, you can enjoy such beauty even after other flowers in your garden have already withered.
For those who already grow dahlias, it will be easier and more economical to prepare the seeds themselves. They are collected from completely dried flowers and stored in paper envelopes until spring. The only drawback of this method is that annual dahlias quickly degenerate, and the seeds may lose their properties over time. So from time to time you will have to change the seed material.
Preparing seedlings
The first step is to prepare the soil for sowing seeds. Preparations should begin in the fall. Humus, turf and sand are perfect for this. Instead of humus, you can also use peat. All components are taken in equal quantities and mixed until smooth. Next, we sift the mixture through a sieve to separate the stones.After this, the soil should be heated in the oven and treated with a manganese solution, this will help get rid of diseases and pests. The seeds themselves do not need to be processed.
For dahlia seedlings, low boxes with drains for excess liquid are suitable. Half the container is filled with prepared soil. Before sowing seeds, the soil must be moistened with a sprayer. Then the seeds are sown at a distance of 3 centimeters from each other. The depth of the hole should be no more than 2 centimeters. Immediately after this, the planted seeds are placed in a warm place with good lighting, the air temperature should be about +25 °C.
The first shoots should appear after 5–10 days. Now that the sprouts have sprouted, you need to remove the film from the boxes and leave them again in a sunny place. If there is insufficient light, the sprouts will stretch out. During this period, it is very important to monitor the humidity level. The soil should not dry out, but at the same time, a large amount of moisture can lead to diseases and destroy the seedlings. It is better to water dahlias using a spray bottle.
Picking should begin after three to four leaves appear. You can transfer the sprouts into separate disposable cups or other containers convenient for you. They need to be filled with soil from the box in which the seedlings grew. You need to make a hole at the bottom of the cups so that excess liquid can drain.
Seedling care
Healthy and strong seedlings will tolerate planting in the ground much easier, and will also grow well and bloom quickly. To do this, it is necessary to provide her with appropriate conditions and care. Probably the most important thing for seedlings is good lighting. If there is poor exposure to sunlight, the sprouts become too thin and stretch out. It is also necessary that the room with seedlings be well ventilated. But it is important not to overdo it and avoid drafts.
Do not forget about regular watering of seedlings. The soil should not dry out, so you need to constantly monitor the moisture level. You need to water only as needed if you see that the soil is starting to dry out.
It is recommended to carry out from time to time feeding seedlings with special complex fertilizers. The first feeding can be done only two weeks after picking. The following procedures are carried out every seven days.
In early May, you can begin hardening off the plants. This is necessary so that the seedlings get used to temperature changes. The first time, dahlias are taken out onto the street or balcony for five minutes. Every day the time needs to be increased.
When to plant dahlias
Planting dahlias in open ground depends on the climate of your region. In the southern regions and center, seedlings have been planted since the third week of May. Then in June the plants will begin to bloom and delight the eyes of others. In the northern regions, the best time will be the second ten days of June. The main thing is that the soil is well heated. Since spring can bring its own surprises every year, you shouldn’t focus too much on certain dates.The time to plant seedlings begins from the moment frosts stop completely.
How to plant dahlias
You should be responsible when choosing a place to plant dahlias. This directly determines how strong the bushes will be and how quickly the flowering period will begin. To choose the ideal site, you need to consider the following factors:
- light level;
- soil composition;
- soil moisture.
It is important that the area is spacious and the seedlings are not crowded together. The place should be well lit. Dahlias do not like strong winds or shaded areas. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant them near trees. In such conditions, the seedlings will stretch out and will not be able to form buds. As a result, there will be very few flowers and the bushes will look unhealthy. The place for the flower bed should not be recessed so that water does not stagnate there. It is better to plant dahlias at higher elevations, this will help protect them from frost. Dahlias grow well in soil with a slightly acidic or neutral composition.
To easily remove the sprout from the glass, you need to pour plenty of water on it. After 2 hours, you can remove the seedlings from the containers and begin planting. This method takes a little time, but allows you to keep the root system intact and unharmed. Due to the injuries received, the plant may not take root in open ground.
The planted seedlings should be at a distance of about 20 centimeters if we are talking about low-growing varieties.Leave about 50 centimeters between medium-sized bushes, and about 70 centimeters between tall plants. You can put humus or wood ash in the hole as fertilizer.
The ground around the bushes is mulched, this will protect the plants from the cold and will prevent the flower garden from becoming overgrown weeds. All these steps will help dahlias grow quickly and begin to bloom.
Caring for dahlias
Dahlia is considered an unpretentious plant. It is highly resistant to drought and does not like soil that is too wet. Thanks to these features, the dahlia needs to be watered only when necessary, if the soil begins to dry out. Even during the period of the most active growth, watering can only be done once a week. If it rains at this time, it is even less frequent.
It is recommended to fertilize once every 2 weeks. Before flowering, you can only apply organic fertilizers, for example, mullein infusion. Add 1 liter of mullein to a bucket of water and water the dahlias. One bush will need 1.5 liters of infusion.
When the plants begin to bloom, you can apply mineral fertilizers. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are best suited. Prepare the solution according to the instructions. This feeding is also carried out 2 times a month.
Of course, from time to time the soil needs to be loosened and weeds removed. This standard care ensures good air supply to the root system. If the summer is dry, you can hill up the bushes, then the moisture will remain longer.
Conclusion
As we have seen, dahlia seedlings are grown quite easily. By performing each step correctly, you will get strong and healthy shoots. And as you know, good seedlings are the key to success.We also looked at how to plant seedlings and care for her. Dahlias are one of the few flowers that require little care, but bloom very beautifully and profusely. Therefore, many people love and are happy to plant them in their plots.
Thanks for posting the article. I read it with benefit. I decided to grow dahlias from seeds and had doubts. The article is not unfounded. and, what’s also nice, with a photo.